Appeals court orders full SNAP funding; Supreme Court to decide whether 65% cap remains
After the federal shutdown prompted USDA to pause SNAP disbursements and initially push a roughly 65% partial‑payment plan, a coalition of states sued and district judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered USDA to use contingency and other funds to provide full November benefits. The 1st Circuit upheld the lower‑court order requiring full funding (after a brief Supreme Court stay), leaving some states that already issued full payments in limbo as the Supreme Court prepares to decide whether the administration may enforce the 65% cap.
📌 Key Facts
- A federal funding lapse that began Oct. 1, 2025 forced USDA to tell states to hold November SNAP issuance files and many states (including Minnesota) to stop approving new SNAP applications, triggering urgent warnings about benefit lapses.
- USDA initially said it would not reprogram funds to extend SNAP, then announced it would use roughly $4.65–5.5 billion in contingency funds to provide partial November benefits (about 65% of typical allotments), issuing complex guidance that required states to recode eligibility systems and risked further delays.
- A coalition of states, led by Democratic attorneys general and governors, sued; U.S. district judges in Rhode Island (Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr.) and Massachusetts (Judge Indira Talwani) found USDA’s pause unlawful and ordered the agency to use contingency and other USDA accounts to maintain SNAP and related waivers, giving the government near-term compliance deadlines.
- After USDA sent Friday guidance that led many states to load full November payments, the administration sought review; Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily stayed the lower-court order, and USDA/FNS then sent memos telling states to 'immediately undo' full issuances, limit payments to roughly 65% and warning of penalties and frozen reimbursements—creating legal and operational chaos for states that had already paid.
- A federal appeals court subsequently upheld the district-court order requiring full November SNAP funding to resume (effective unless the Supreme Court intervenes), and the U.S. Solicitor General has continued to press the administration’s appeal arguing courts may not reallocate child‑nutrition funds and that Congress must act.
- Logistical realities have compounded the crisis: EBT card reloads and state processing often take 1–2 weeks (or longer), USDA admitted a benefit‑calculation miscalculation and revised tables, and several states (including Minnesota) that issued full benefits say they cannot claw them back if federal reimbursement is later withheld.
- Scale and funding context: SNAP serves roughly 40–42 million Americans and costs about $8–9 billion per month; the immediately available USDA contingency was about $4.65 billion while advocates and judges pointed to an additional ~$23 billion in child‑nutrition accounts as possible coverage.
- The disruption produced immediate human and operational impacts—food banks and pantries reported surges in demand, local governments and United Way campaigns mobilized emergency aid, and officials warned of harms to children, seniors, retailers and school meal programs if reimbursements and benefits remain uncertain.
📰 Sources (71)
The Supreme Court is expected to say whether full SNAP food payments can resume
New information:
- A federal appeals court on Monday said full SNAP funding should resume, with the order set to take effect Tuesday night unless the Supreme Court intervenes again.
- The Supreme Court is expected to rule Tuesday on the administration’s request to keep blocking states from providing full November SNAP benefits.
- The U.S. Senate passed legislation to reopen the government that includes replenishing SNAP funds; the House was called back to consider the deal.
- Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued in a Supreme Court filing that courts should not reallocate resources and that Congress must end the shutdown.
- States are in differing positions: Minnesota, Hawaii and New Jersey issued full benefits; others like Nebraska and West Virginia issued none; some states issued partial benefits.
Shutdown battle ebbs, but Trump won’t give up trying to withhold full SNAP benefits
New information:
- The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Sunday upheld a Rhode Island district court order requiring USDA to pay full November SNAP benefits.
- On Monday, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer notified the Supreme Court the administration is continuing its appeal and argued courts cannot reallocate child‑nutrition funds to cover a SNAP shortfall.
- U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani (D. Mass.) kept in place a TRO blocking USDA’s Saturday memo instructing states to 'immediately undo' full November issuances and criticized the agency for creating confusion.
The shutdown could end this week. Here’s what that might mean for Minnesotans.
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF confirms full November SNAP was issued Friday but says the state has no mechanism to claw back benefits despite USDA’s Saturday directive.
- State urges eligible residents to apply for SNAP and encourages donations to local food banks while court issues are resolved.
- Senate deal would fully fund SNAP until September 2026, potentially resolving the November benefits uncertainty.
The SNAP funding back-and-forth, explained
New information:
- Minnesota officials say they will not claw back full November SNAP payments already distributed and note the state has no mechanism to do so.
- Minnesota distributed full November SNAP benefits over the weekend after USDA released funds Friday; recipients confirmed credits were received.
- AG Keith Ellison said Monday that 'the money is flowing' in Minnesota and criticized the administration’s attempts to curb payments.
- Minnesota accelerated some benefit issuance to protect residents amid expected legal whiplash.
States face uncertainty as Trump administration tries to reverse SNAP food payments
New information:
- AP identifies U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell as the judge who ordered full SNAP funding by Friday, prior to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s temporary stay.
- AP reports Wisconsin’s federal reimbursement was frozen and its SNAP account could be depleted as soon as Monday, risking reimbursements to retailers.
- USDA deputy under secretary Patrick Penn warned states could face penalties if they do not 'immediately undo' steps to issue full November benefits.
- Some governors (e.g., Connecticut’s Ned Lamont) publicly vowed not to claw back benefits already disbursed.
- An appeals court is considering a longer halt to full benefits and Congress is weighing SNAP funding in a shutdown-ending package.
Minnesota cities, counties fund food aid after SNAP delays
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF began issuing full November SNAP benefits on Friday before USDA told states Saturday that payments were unauthorized following the Supreme Court stay.
- Local impact: food shelves report immediate demand spikes, prompting metro governments to inject local funds.
- Quantified local scale: about 440,000 Minnesotans receive SNAP monthly; one provider (Open Cupboard) reports a 10–15% daily increase and 1,300 first-time users since Oct. 20.
Minnesota says it can't undo SNAP payments despite Trump admin demand
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF says the state cannot claw back SNAP funds once issued and has no mechanism to retrieve benefits from recipients.
- Timeline: Minnesota received a Friday noon USDA memo instructing full November SNAP payments, issued benefits over the weekend, then received a Saturday evening Nov. 8 memo ordering states to undo full issuances.
- Minnesota states the Saturday memo threatens severe financial penalties that would harm residents and says it is evaluating the Nov. 8 directive.
- Minnesota notes its normal SNAP issuance schedule (4th–13th each month) and that some full benefits were already sent over the weekend.
States told by Trump administration to ‘undo’ full SNAP benefits paid for November
New information:
- USDA FNS issued a Saturday memo directing states to fund only 65% of November SNAP and to 'immediately undo' any steps taken to issue full benefits.
- The memos were signed by Patrick A. Penn, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said they would not claw back already authorized full benefits; Kansas had authorized full payments earlier Friday under prior guidance.
- Sequence clarified: a Friday USDA memo told states to issue full benefits consistent with a Thursday ruling, then the Supreme Court’s late‑Friday stay prompted the 65% guidance and 'undo' instruction.
Trump administration tells states to ‘undo’ full SNAP payouts
New information:
- USDA deputy undersecretary Patrick Penn sent a memo instructing state SNAP directors to immediately 'undo' any steps taken to issue full November benefits, calling such payments 'unauthorized.'
- The memo warned states could face consequences if they do not comply.
- States that loaded full benefits between the lower‑court rulings and the Supreme Court stay are now awaiting federal reimbursement, which USDA/Treasury froze after the stay.
- Example cited: Wisconsin loaded benefits for roughly 700,000 residents and says it could run out of money by Monday without federal reimbursement.
- Leaders from more than two dozen states warned of 'catastrophic operational disruptions' if funds do not flow.
Trump administration demands states ‘undo’ full SNAP payouts as states warn of ‘catastrophic impact’
New information:
- USDA deputy undersecretary Patrick Penn told state SNAP directors that any full November issuances were "unauthorized" and ordered states to "immediately undo" steps taken to issue full benefits.
- Wisconsin loaded benefits for roughly 700,000 residents but reports the U.S. Treasury froze reimbursements; the state warns it could run out of money by Monday absent federal funding.
- A multistate filing at the 1st Circuit warns states could be asked to return "hundreds of millions of dollars," risking "catastrophic operational disruptions" if reimbursements are not made.
- Gov. Tony Evers’ administration publicly rejected USDA’s demand, saying Wisconsin acted under an active court order and that USDA had indicated it was working to make funds available.
Trump administration orders states to pause paying full SNAP benefits
New information:
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service sent a memo directing states to "immediately undo any steps" to issue full November SNAP payments and instead issue only partial benefits, about 65% of the usual amount.
- The memo warns states that failure to comply could trigger consequences, including cancellation of federal funding that helps cover states’ SNAP administrative costs.
- The directive follows Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s late‑Friday temporary stay of a Rhode Island judge’s order requiring USDA to release full November benefits; USDA had earlier indicated it was preparing to comply before the stay.
- Scope reiterated: roughly 42 million people nationwide depend on SNAP, underscoring the local impact in Minnesota and the Twin Cities.
Minnesota restores full SNAP benefits to families in need
New information:
- Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth and Families began issuing full November SNAP benefits on Friday, with recipients starting to see funds on Saturday.
- The state cites protecting Minnesotans amid uncertainty after the Supreme Court temporarily paused a lower‑court order Friday night.
- Despite the stay, the federal government had already agreed to release benefits and Minnesota (and other states) proceeded with issuance.
- Scale and value: about 440,000 Minnesotans receive SNAP, averaging roughly $6 per day.
US Supreme Court temporarily blocks November SNAP payments
New information:
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued the stay, pausing a Rhode Island judge’s order that USDA transfer funds to cover full November SNAP.
- Lower-court order identified: Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell directed USDA to use a $23B child-nutrition fund; about $4B was needed for full November SNAP.
- USDA had sent midday Friday guidance that led states to seek full funding; Wisconsin’s request caused a $20M overdraft on its letter of credit, Kansas made a similar move, and some Californians briefly saw full benefits loaded.
- Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued separation-of-powers: USDA chose partial November SNAP using ~$5B in contingency funds versus ~$9B required for a full month to avoid jeopardizing child-nutrition programs.
- Uncertainty remains over how already-initiated state loads affect individual EBT cards after the stay.
Government shutdown latest: Senators working through the weekend
New information:
- The U.S. Supreme Court granted the administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block the lower-court order requiring full November SNAP payments.
- As a result, November SNAP benefits are delayed again despite prior expectations of full funding.
Minnesotans will receive full SNAP benefits for November over the weekend, officials say
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF says it will load full November SNAP and MFIP benefits 'over the weekend,' providing a specific state timeline.
- DCYF confirms USDA is working to implement full benefits in compliance with the court order.
- On‑record statement from DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown about the shutdown’s impact and the imminent restoration of benefits.
- Local scope reiterated: more than 440,000 Minnesotans (including 180,000 children and 67,000 seniors) depend on these benefits monthly.
Minnesota officials say SNAP benefits will be funded for November
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF confirms it will issue full November SNAP benefits this weekend and include MFIP households
- State says some households will be paid earlier than usual to protect against uncertainty from potential future court orders
- Commissioner Tikki Brown quoted on scope and impacts; reiterates beneficiary counts (440k total; 180k children; 67k seniors)
- Notes additional states (CA, KS, NJ, PA, WI) reporting full issuances underway
Minnesota officials say SNAP benefits will be funded for November
New information:
- Minnesota DCYF says it will issue full November SNAP allotments this weekend and include MFIP households.
- State notes some households may receive payments earlier than typical to protect against potential future court orders.
- Commissioner Tikki Brown statement on the breadth of impact and urgency.
- Updated scale: more than 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP/MFIP monthly, including 180,000 children and 67,000 seniors.
- Other states (CA, KS, NJ, PA, WI) have confirmed issuing full November payments.
- Local context: St. Paul’s shutdown‑response food drive has collected over 10,000 pounds of food so far.
Minnesota SNAP recipients to get full November benefits within days, state officials say
New information:
- Minnesota officials say November SNAP benefits could be issued as soon as this weekend.
- State will issue some benefits earlier than usual to protect recipients amid potential future court-order uncertainty, per the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
- Confirms USDA sent a Friday letter saying funds would be available within hours; the letter omits Tuesday's partial‑benefit formula guidance, rendering it moot for now.
- Context: Walz recently redirected $4 million to food shelves, which remain strained.
Full November SNAP benefits to be issued by Trump administration despite shutdown
New information:
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service told states it will release full November SNAP funding on Friday, Nov. 7, complying with a federal court order.
- Deputy Under Secretary Patrick A. Penn signed the FNS letter instructing states to transmit full issuance files to EBT processors.
- The administration abandoned its appeal filed after Judge John J. McConnell Jr.’s order and is reversing prior guidance that declined to use contingency and other USDA accounts.
SNAP latest: Trump appeals judge's order to distribute food funds
New information:
- Identifies the judge as U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island and notes his Thursday order requiring full November SNAP payments by Friday.
- Details the administration’s plan to issue only 65% of the maximum SNAP benefit absent the order.
- Cites the government’s reliance on a $4.65 billion contingency fund and its request that the appeals court bar orders requiring spending beyond that amount.
- Provides a direct quote from Judge McConnell criticizing the failure to consider harms from partial funding and delays.
- Notes Wisconsin reported some recipients already received full November payments overnight, with confirmation from the governor’s spokesperson.
- Frames scale: roughly 1 in 8 Americans rely on SNAP; mentions near‑$300 max for individuals and near‑$1,000 for a family of four.
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